Bryan Murray believes the Senators can be a contending team again within a year - and he wants to be the GM who brings them back to prominence.

Speaking to the media at Scotiabank Place after the team's practice Monday, Murray shot down reports that suggest owner Eugene Melnyk has decided to offer him a senior advisory role when his contract expires at the end of the season. Murray said he talks to Melnyk regulary, and any such plan is news to him.

"I hope to retain my job at the end of the year," said Murray. "We do have an awfully good group coming.

"I don't think we're very far away from being a good hockey team. Obviously you have to make some changes when you perform like we did. But I think it's one year. I think we can be back as a real competitive team real quickly."

The Senators have lost five games in a row and 11 of their last 12. With a 17-25-7 record, they are 13th in the Eastern Conference and need a miracle to make the playoffs.

Murray spoke with the players and coaches before Monday's practice and said he expects them to play the final 33 games with pride. He said players will be auditioning for roles with the team over the next few weeks, leading into the Feb. 28 trade deadline.

In their only move Monday, the Senators recalled winger Bobby Butler from Binghamton.

Jason Spezza practised with the team and is ahead of schedule to return from a shoulder injury. The hope is he could play right after the all-star break.

Coach Cory Clouston said winger Jarkko Ruutu should miss a couple of weeks with a lower body injury. Matt Carkner, who also missed Friday's game with a lower body injury, will be good to go when the Senators host the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday.